Portable hydraulic service lift for automotive equipment

ABSTRACT

A base is made up of two parallel base beams tied together by extensible connections. Adjacent each end of each beam is a fully swiveled caster wheel. Each wheel is also vertically movable into and out of floor engaging position. A vehicle-receiving platform is hinged to each of said base beams and extends parallel thereto. Each of said base beams has a hydraulic piston pivoted thereto. A hydraulic cylinder surrounds each piston and is pivoted to the adjacent vehicle receiving platform. A vehicle wheel stop is attached to each of said platforms adjacent its pivot to its base beam.

111 States Patent 1191 -'l111ne 1 Oct. 1, 1974 [54] PORTABLE HYDRAULHC SERVHCE LIFT 2,849,084 8/1958 Hotlctal 187/85 FUR MO' EQUIPMENT 2,962,980 12/1960 Carrigan 3,048,237 8/1962 Rutherford [76] Inventor: Shearer 1E. Tune, 303 State Line, 3,054 519 9/19 2 Fleming Fulton, Ky. 42041 3,301,415 1/1967 Kunzlcr et al. ed M 2 9 3 3,713,515 1/1973 Hott 187/852 X [21] Appl. No.: 337,576 Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Related Us. Application Data Attorney, Agent, or F1rm-Berman, B1shoff & Platt [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No 97,197, Dec. 11, [57] ABSTRACT 1970, abandoned.

A base is made up of two parallel base beams t1ed to- 52 115.0 214/49, 187/843, 187/8.5, gether by extensible Connections Adjacent each 6nd 1 7/ 52 7/ 7 214/1 A, 2 9 59 of each beam is a fully swiveled caster wheel. Each 51 1111. C1. B65g 117/311 Wheel isalso vertically movable into and out of floor 5s 1 111414 or Search 214/1 A, 46.34, 49; engaging Position A vehicle-receiving platform is 254/94; 269/58 187/843, 349 852, hinged to each of said base beams and extends parallel 867, 877 thereto. Each of said base beams has a hydraulic piston pivoted thereto. A hydraulic cylinder surrounds [56] References Cited each piston and is pivoted to the adjacent vehicle re- UNITED STATES PATENTS ceiving platform. A vehicle wheel stop is attached to each of said platforms adjacent its pivot to its base 1,383,934 7/1921 Grider 214/49 beam 1,503,781 8/1924 Baker 1,525,447 2/1925 Hose 241 1 A X 20 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures E v 5 i\ l g 250 E 1 5 2a Z0 v p SHEET 1 OF 7 MENIED (1H 1 I974 7 Q w m IIQ ow FATENIED 3.833.783

SHEEI 80! 7 NENTEB I 4 SHEEI 50$ 7 sum rom PATENIED PORTABLE HYDRAULIC SERVICE LIFT FOII AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT This application is a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 97,197, filed on Dec. 11, 1970 by the present applicat, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a portable hydraulic lift, particularly useful for servicing various portions of automotive equipment such, for example, as fork lift trucks.

It is an object of this invention to provide a portable service lift which will accommodate vehicles of various widths and will tilt either end of such vehicles to an angle with the horizontal such as will provide comfortable access to the running gear and underside of that portion of the vehicle which is lifted into a tilted position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a service lift as aforesaid in which hydraulic means at each side of the vehicle effect the lifting or tilting function and in which said hydraulic means incorporate safety devices to guard against failure of the hydraulic system.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a service lift as aforesaid adapted to coact with certain accessories whereby to free the running gear of the vehicle for servicing even though it is in tilted position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a service lift as aforesaid with means automatically to limit the angle with the horizontal to which the vehicle may be tilted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a service lift as aforesaid which may be readily adapted to servicethree-wheel vehicles.

The above and other objects will be made clear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevation of the device as a whole;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevation from the right hand end of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the hydraulic lifting unit of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5, but with the lift in a partially elevated condition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of the upper portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7A is a top plan-view of the device shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support for the lifting portion of the hydraulic lifting unit shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 7A;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an attachment which may be used with the present invention;

FIG. I0 is a top plan view, broken away, with an attachment in place'for adapting the present invention for use with three-wheel vehicles;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-12 in FIG-III;

FIG. I3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-13 in FIG. 111;

FIG. I4 is a sectional view taken on the line l4-ll4 in FIG. ll;

FIG. I5 is an enlarged broken away detail of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line I61l6 in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 117-17 in FIG. I6.

In the apparatus of this invention, it matters very little whether the vehicle which is handled is a fork lift truck, a Volkswagen, a jeep or any other vehicle. The machine, however, was designed with the servicing of fork lift trucks in mind and will be described with reference to handling such a vehicle. It will be understood that this is not by way of limitation.

While the lift herein disclosed is intended to simplify the servicing of vehicles, it is equally applicable to dumping a load from a vehicle which is not, itself, equipped with a dumping lift. For such purpose the device would have considerable seasonal utility in such grain areas as Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. For this purpose, the truck is backed onto the device, secured and then the lifts are operated.

The invention as a whole will best be understood by reference to FIGS. I and 2. Basically, the machine is made up of a pair of parallel base beams 10 and 12 which are inverted channels. The beams 10 and 12 are joined at their adjacent free ends by expansible joints generally designated 14 and 16 which permit adjustment of the space between beams 10 and 12 to accommodate various tread widths of the vehicles to be serviced. Each of the beams 10 and 12 has secured thereto adjacent each end thereof a retractable caster assembly generally designated 18. These assemblies are mutually identical and only one will be described in detail here inafter.

A pair of channels or platforms .20 and 22 are joined by pivots generally designated 24 and 26 to the base beams 10 and 12. Channels 20 and 22 have their open sides facing down and opposing the open sides of the base beams 10 and 12. A hydraulic lifting unit generally designated 28 is secured to each of beams 10 and 20, as will appear hereinafter, and a similar unit generally designated 30 is attached to both of the beams 12 and 22. A ramp unit 32 is provided to lead up to the upper surface of the beam 20 while a similar unit 34 leads up to the upper surface of the beam 22.

As seen in FIG. l, a vehicle is shown in phantom outline and designated L. This has been driven up ramps 32 and 34 onto the upper surface of platforms 20 and 22 until it encounters wheel stops 38 and 40 after which it is secured (if needed) by chains 42 and 44 and is then elevated by the hydraulic mechanisms 28 and 30 to the position shown in phantom outline in FIG. 1. Details concerning these operations will be set forth hereinafter.

The expansible joints 14 and 16 are each made up of a channel 17 having one end welded to the beam 12.

A smaller channel 19 fits within the channel 17 and has one end welded to the beam 10. The overlapping portions of channels 17 and 19 are drilled as at 21 .to receive an adjustment holding bolt 23. Upon withdrawal of the bolts 23, the parts 17 and 19 are freely slidable one on the other to adjust the spacing between the beams 10 and 12 so as to accommodate vehicles of various tread widths.

The free end of the platform 22 is welded to a channel 25, while the free end of the platform 20 is welded to a smaller channel 27 which has a sliding fit within the channel 25. The channel flanges are perforated and secured in adjusted position by a pin or bolt 29.

In order to facilitate the above-described width adjustments, hydraulic actuating means is provided, controlled in a conventional manner through a control valve in a hydraulic system. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 14, spacer sleeves 279 are welded to members 19 and 27. Stop supports 280 for platforms 20 and 22 are provided with slots 281 for receiving dogs 282. Doubleacting hydraulic cylinder 283, having hydraulic cylinder ram 284 is provided The base of the cylinder is anchored by pin 285 while the cylinder ram is anchored by pin 286. At the left side of FIG. 2, double-acting hydraulic cylinder 287 is provided having hydraulic cylinder ram 288, which members are similarly anchored.

To expand or contract the width of the lift, platforms 20 and 22 must be in the fully down position. In this position, as shown in FIG. 14, dogs 282 engage slots 281. Pins 29 and 23 at both ends of the lift must be removed and a diverter valve in the hydraulic system operated in order to actuate cylinders 283 and 287 through their respective control valves (not shown). When the desired width is obtained, pins 29 and 23 are reinserted.

The casters generally designated 18 will now be described in detail. Caster wheels 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are mounted on horizontal pivots 33 which in turn pivot on vertical axes in wheel support plates 35 and the plates 35 are horizontally pivoted on pins 37 which are mounted in the flanges 12 of the beam 12 or flanges of the beam 10. A suitable opening 37 is formed in the base of the beam 12 to permit advance or retraction of the wheels 31. A crossshaft 39 is mounted in brackets 41 secured to the flanges 10' or 12 and has at one end a projecting handle 43 which abuts on either side against one or the other of lever stops 45 or 47. A cam 49 is secured to the cross shaft 39 and bears on the plate 35. With the parts in position of FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheels 31 project through the beam 12 and bear on the floor. When the lever 43 is turned to the opposite position, the cam 49 comes out of bearing with the plate 35 and permits the wheels 31 to rise through the openings 37 so that the beams 10 and 12 nest flatly on the floor.

The pivots generally designated 24 and 26, which respectively connect the beam 10 and platform and beam 12 and platform 22, will now be described. A pair of brackets 51 are secured on the outer sides of the flanges 10 and 12' and support transverse pivot pins 53. Wheel stops 38 and 40, previously mentioned, are welded transversely to the ends of platform beams 20 and 22 and have forwardly extending vertical ribs 55 cle and the lift itself to tilt about the front end (left end,

as seen in FIG. 1) and thereby somersault. To pro vide an automatic limitation on the angle of tilt in order to prevent tilting at too great an angle. each of the platforms 20 and 22 is provided with a pivot pin running between its flanges. A tension rod 62 is pivoted to the pin 60 and at its free end has formed a notch 64 which,

as the platform tilts, will come into engagement with a cross pin 66, mounted in the base beams 10 and 12. Engagement of the notch 64 with the pin 66 inhibits further tilting of platforms 20 and 22.

The hydraulic units 28 and 30 are mutually identical except for matters of hand and only one, therefore, will be described in detail. This will be unit 28 and reference is had to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 7A of which FIG. 5 shows the parts at rest at ground level as in the full lines of FIG. 1, while FIG. 6 shows the relationship of parts shown in dotted outline. in FIG. 1.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 5, the platform 20 is shown as having downwardly facing flanges 20' and on its inner side an upturned flange 20 which functions primarily as a guide for the wheels of a vehicle advancing up the platform 22. The flanges 20 are welded to reinforcing blocks 70. Pivot pin 72, which is attached to partial sleeve 76 for a purpose hereinafter to be described, is supported in a manner best seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8. The pin support comprises inner pin support 271, intermediate pin support 272 and outer pin support 273. These pin supports are structurally reinforced by rear pin support bracket 274 and front pin support bracket 275. Upper beam lifting inner pin bracket 277 is received in slot 276 while upper beam lifting outer pin bracket 278 is disposed adjacent outer pin support 273. As will appear from the description of the operation set forth below, the above-described support for pin 72 will result in only straight line forces with respect to pin 96, therefore eliminating any side thrust on the parts.

Base beam 10 has its outer flange 10 welded to one leg of an angle 78 with the upper leg 80 of the angle 78 disposed parallel to the inner flange 10. An additional bearing block 82 is welded to the inner surface of the inner flange 12' and a third bearing block 84 is welded to the outer surface of the same flange 12'. The flange l2, and the bearing blocks 82 and 84 are drilled to receive a pivot pin 86 to which is pivoted the car 88 of a hydraulic cylinder 90. Within the cylinder 90 is a piston, not shown, connected to a piston rod 92. The piston rod 92 has at its upper end an ear 94, which is pivoted by a pin 96 to a portion of the sleeve 76 which, as previously noted, is pivoted by the pin 72 to the platform 22.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a cap member 97 surrounds the upper end of the cylinder covering part of its upper end and providing clearance for the piston 92.

Adjacent the upper end of the partial sleeve or angle 76, the bearing for the pin 96 is increased by securing ablock 98 to the inner surface of one arm of the angle 76. A block 100 is welded to the inner face of the opposite leg of the angle 76 and at its opposite end is welded to a spacer block 102. The relationship of these parts perhaps is best seen in FIG. 7 to which further reference will now be made. A ratchet bar 104 is mounted on the outer face of the block 100 and is penetrated by the pin 96. The ratchet bar has a series of downwardly facing teeth 106. The piston rod 92 passes through an opening 108 in the cap member 97 which, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, surrounds the upper end of the cylinder 90. A frame member 110 has inwardly extending legs 112 and 114, the extremities of which are welded to the cap member 97. A guide member 116 is welded to the leg 1114 and has an inwardly extending leg 118 which overlies a portion to the angle 76 and acts as a guide for the same.

The cap member 97 is slotted at 120 on opposite sides to slide over a pair of hydraulic port holes in cylinder 90 secured to the cap member 97. A set screw 124 threaded into the cap member 97 prevents accidental withdrawal or turning of the cap member 97 once it is in place on the cylinder 90. A channel 126 has a rack 104 welded inside the channel. The channel 126 gives stiffness to the safety rack 104 and slides with the rack 104.

A plate 130 is welded to the legs 112 and 114 to form a bottom closure underlying the horizontal portion 110. A pawl 132 is pivoted on a pin 134 secured between the legs 112 and 114. The pawl 132 has a pointed end 136 which engages the teeth 106 of the ratchet 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 7A, it will be seen that there is mounted on the pin 134 alever 138 having a handle portion 140. Adjacent the handle portion 140 is a projecting pin 142. The pawl 132 has, opposite the pointed end 136, a rearwardly projecting portion 144 which extends beyond the portion 110 and carries a projecting pin 146. A spring 150 connects the pins 142 and 146. In the position shown in FIG. 3, tension on the spring 150 urges the pointed end 136 of the pawl 132 into engagement with the teeth 106. This is a safety feature to prevent collapse of the elevator in the event of hydraulic failure during a lift and also provides safety when working under the vehicle. When it is desired to lower the platforms back to horizontal, the handle 140 is turned about the pivot 134 until the lever 138 engages a lower stop 152., best seen in FIG. 3. This movement brings the spring 150 across the pivot 134 so as to lie below that pivot and therefore the tension of the spring 150 raises the ;awl 136 out of engagement with the teeth 106 and the lowering operation may begin.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the platforms and 22 each are provided with spaced assemblies generally designated 200. Very frequently it will be desirable to service one or more wheels of the tilted vehicle. To service such wheels, however the wheel must be free of the tilting platform on which normally it would rest. In most vehicles, which will be serviced on the present machine at at least the front end there is a projection midway the width of the vehicle which extends forwardly beyond the wheels. This is particularly true of fork lift trucks where the mast and the forks extend forwardly and, as hitherto, detailed description will be made with reference to a fork lift truck. The fork lift truck differs from most vehicles in being without springs. If the wheels of such a truck are to be freed by the means presently to be discussed, it is necessary to free all four wheels. In sprung vehicles such as jeeps and Volkswagens, when a normal springing is encountered, it is possible through use of part of the equipment to service one wheel at a time or any combination or from one to four wheels.

Since, except for matters of hand, the various units 200 are identical, and only one will be described in detail as applied to the platform 20. With reference to FIGS. l5, l6 and 17, it can be seen that platform 20 has formed therein a rectangular opening 202. Disposed below the opening 202 are angle supports 204 for latcral sliding plate 212. Angle support 204 is in turn supported by gussets 206. Horizontal sliding plate 208 is supported by members 218 which in turn are bolted by bolts 220 to platform 20. Single acting spring return hydraulic cylinder 216 is mounted in tube 214 and is positioned below opening 202 to contact the frame of the vehicle when the cylinder is actuated by conventional means (not shown) through port 222.

In operation, the vehicle is driven upon the lift of the present invention and sliding members 208 and 212 are manipulated so as to position hydraulic lifting cylinder 216 to a position where it will contact the frame of the vehicle when it is actuated. Thus, one or more of cylinders 216 may be actuated to selectively free the vehicle wheels.

In order to insure that all four wheels may be made free of the platforms 20 and 22, the device of FIG. 9 is used. It will be understood that if the wheels per se do not need servicing, wheel stops 38 and are used as is. When it is desired to free the wheels a beam or bumper 250 is used. The bumper 250 is formed from sheet stock folded to form a top plate 252 and side flanges 254 and 256. The flange 254 is bent to provide a flat portion 258 and then again to form an inner vertical flange 260. The flange 260 defines with the flange 256 a channel which fits over the edges of wheel stops 38 and 40 and projects inwardly from the inner surface of the stops 38 and 40. It is thus in a position to engage, as shown in FIG. 1, the forwardly projecting mast 270 of the fork truck V, shown in phantom outline in FIG. 1, and thus to prevent contact between the front wheels and the stops 38 and 40.

In order to accommodate a three-wheel version (tricycle type) of mobile equipment, such as fork lifts and the like, the present invention contemplates the optional use of a centerramp, such as set forth in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. This center ramp attachment may be extended or contracted lengthwise or transversely in order to accommodate various sized vehicles and to cooperate with the extensible members 14 and 16 described above. It will be understood, that when the center ramp set forth below is used, pins 29 and 23, described above, are not utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. l0, l1, l2, l3 and 14, there is set forth the center ramp device of the present invention comprising drive ramp 289 supported by ramp support 290 and anchored in place by anchor pin 291 inserted in one of holes 21 in member 17. The center ramp assembly further includes wheel support ramp 400 which may be adjusted longitudinally and support bar 500, which may be adjusted in conjunction with assembly 16, described above, to accommodate vehicles of varying widths. Support bar 500 comprises outer tube 300 within which is slidably received inner tube 301. The assembly is mounted on ramps 20 and 22 by means of support brackets 302 having slots 304 therein to receive guide rails 20"and 22". Disposed within the inner and outer tubes are adjusting holes 303 to receive pin 297 in order to fix the selected width once the adjustment has been made.

Wheel support ramp 400 comprises outer tube 292 within which is slidably disposed inner tube 293. Rear support bracket 294 is locked to members 25 and 27 by means of rear anchor pin 295,. while front support bracket 296 is locked to members 300 and 301 by pin 297. The length of wheel support ramp 400 may be adjusted by sliding inner tube 293 with respect to outer tube 292 and then locking the two tubes in place with respect to each other by inserting adjusting pin 298 in aligned adjusting holes 299.

It can thus be seen that the adjustable center ramp described above readily accommodates the vehicle lift of the present invention to three-wheel vehicles and co operates with the other adjustments described above to provide a device of extreme versatility. The device of the present invention permits servicing operations to be performed on the underside of the vehicle including servicing of the individual wheels thereof. It is equally clear that numerous structural variations will suggest themselves to anyone skilled in the art who peruses the foregoing description. It is not intended, therefore, in any way to limit this invention to the precise mechanical details disclosed herein.

I claim:

1. A device for tilting a vehicle to permit servicing of the running gear and underside thereof or to dump cargo therefrom, said device comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel base beams; a pair of connectors for said beams each located adjacent one end of each of said beams; a pair of spaced, separate vehicle receiving platforms for receiving the entire vehicle to be serviced, each pivoted at one end to one of said beams to constitute a base beam and platform assembly; a pair of fluid-pressure operated lifting units, each comprising a pressure-applying device and a follower device, each of said units having its pressure-applying device pivoted to one of the members of a base beam and platform assembly and the follower device of such unit being pivoted to the other member of such assembly, and means for supplying fluid pressure simultaneously to both of said pressure-applying devices whereby to tilt said platforms relative to said beams, each of said beams being equipped with at least one individually fluid actuable lift means for selectively freeing one or more wheels of a vehicle to be serviced.

2. The device of claim 1, including, on each of said platforms, a vehicle wheel stop affixed to such platform and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent its pivot to a base beam.

3. The device of claim 2 including a bumper member associated with said wheel stops, said bumper member extending between said stops and extending rearwardly to encounter a portion of a vehicle and to stop the same before the wheels of the vehicle encounter the fixed wheel stops.

4. The device of claim 1 .including a caster adjacent the underside of each end of each base beam and means for retracting each caster out of floor contacting position.

5. The device of claim 1 including an individual ramp detachably secured to each of said base beams adjacent the ends of said beams opposite the pivots of said platforms.

6. The device of claim 1 including means associated with each platform and base beam assembly for limiting the angle of tilt of the platform relative to the beam.

7. The device of claim 1 including means for adjusting the length of each of said connectors and thereby the spacing between beams and platforms.

8. The device of claim 1 including, for each of said lifting units, a rack attached to said followers; a pawl pivoted to said pressure-applying device and engaging said rack whereby to prevent collapse of said platforms in the event of fluid pressure failure and means to disengage said pawl from said rack to permit lowering of said platforms and further including overcenter safety means.

9. The device of claim 1 including a connector between the free ends of said platforms, said connector being of greater depth than said platforms and bearing on said base beams when said platforms are parallel to said base beams.

10. The device of claim 9 including means to adjust the length of said connector to adjust the spacing between platforms. 1

11. The device set forth in claim 1 further including means detachably secured to one of said connectors for receiving the center wheel of a three-wheeled vehicle.

12. The device set forth in claim 11 wherein said detachable means comprises a ramp and a wheel receiving platform.

13. The device set forth in claim 12 wherein said wheel receiving platform is adjustable to accommodate vehicles of varying lengths.

14. The device set forth in claim 11 further including means engaging said platforms for adjusting the width of said detachable means.

15. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for individually freeing said wheels comprises hydraulically actuated lift means adjustably positioned below said platforms.

16. The device set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for adjusting includes hydraulic means.

17. The device set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for adjusting includes hydraulic means.

18. A device for tilting a vehicle to permit servicing of the running gear and underside thereof comprising:

a. a pair of spaced parallel base beams;

b. a pair of spaced separate vehicle receiving platforms for receiving the entire vehicle to be serviced, each pivoted at one end to one of said beams to constitute a base beam and platform assembly;

c. a pair of lifting units for tilting said platforms relative to said base beams;

d. an upstanding guide rail on each platform;

e. means for receiving the center wheel of a three wheeled vehicle comprising a wheel receiving platform having a pair of slotted support brackets for removably engaging said upstanding guide rails.

19. The device of claim 18 further including fluid actuated means for adjusting the spacing between beams and platforms and for simultaneously adjusting the width of said center wheel receiving platform.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said center wheel receiving platform is longitudinally expandable to accommodate vehicles of varying lengths. 

1. A device for tilting a vehicle to permit servicing of the running gear and underside thereof or to dump cargo therefrom, said device comprising: a pair of spaced, parallel base beams; a pair of connectors for said beams each located adjacent one end of each of said beams; a pair of spaced, separate vehicle receiving platforms for receiving the entire vehicle to be serviced, each pivoted at one end to one of said beams to constitute a base beam and platform assembly; a pair of fluidpressure operated lifting units, each comprising a pressureapplying device and a follower device, each of said units having its pressure-applying device pivoted to one of the members of a base beam and platform assembly and the follower device of such unit being pivoted to the other member of such assembly, and means for supplying fluid pressure simultaneously to both of said pressure-applying devices whereby to tilt said platforms relative to said beams, each of said beams being equipped with at least one individually fluid actuable lift means for selectively freeing one or more wheels of a vehicle to be serviced.
 2. The device of claim 1, including, on each of said platforms, a vehicle wheel stop affixed to such platform and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent its pivot to a base beam.
 3. The device of claim 2 including a bumper member associated with said wheel stops, said bumper member extending between said stops and extendiNg rearwardly to encounter a portion of a vehicle and to stop the same before the wheels of the vehicle encounter the fixed wheel stops.
 4. The device of claim 1 including a caster adjacent the underside of each end of each base beam and means for retracting each caster out of floor contacting position.
 5. The device of claim 1 including an individual ramp detachably secured to each of said base beams adjacent the ends of said beams opposite the pivots of said platforms.
 6. The device of claim 1 including means associated with each platform and base beam assembly for limiting the angle of tilt of the platform relative to the beam.
 7. The device of claim 1 including means for adjusting the length of each of said connectors and thereby the spacing between beams and platforms.
 8. The device of claim 1 including, for each of said lifting units, a rack attached to said followers; a pawl pivoted to said pressure-applying device and engaging said rack whereby to prevent collapse of said platforms in the event of fluid pressure failure and means to disengage said pawl from said rack to permit lowering of said platforms and further including overcenter safety means.
 9. The device of claim 1 including a connector between the free ends of said platforms, said connector being of greater depth than said platforms and bearing on said base beams when said platforms are parallel to said base beams.
 10. The device of claim 9 including means to adjust the length of said connector to adjust the spacing between platforms.
 11. The device set forth in claim 1 further including means detachably secured to one of said connectors for receiving the center wheel of a three-wheeled vehicle.
 12. The device set forth in claim 11 wherein said detachable means comprises a ramp and a wheel receiving platform.
 13. The device set forth in claim 12 wherein said wheel receiving platform is adjustable to accommodate vehicles of varying lengths.
 14. The device set forth in claim 11 further including means engaging said platforms for adjusting the width of said detachable means.
 15. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for individually freeing said wheels comprises hydraulically actuated lift means adjustably positioned below said platforms.
 16. The device set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for adjusting includes hydraulic means.
 17. The device set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for adjusting includes hydraulic means.
 18. A device for tilting a vehicle to permit servicing of the running gear and underside thereof comprising: a. a pair of spaced parallel base beams; b. a pair of spaced separate vehicle receiving platforms for receiving the entire vehicle to be serviced, each pivoted at one end to one of said beams to constitute a base beam and platform assembly; c. a pair of lifting units for tilting said platforms relative to said base beams; d. an upstanding guide rail on each platform; e. means for receiving the center wheel of a three wheeled vehicle comprising a wheel receiving platform having a pair of slotted support brackets for removably engaging said upstanding guide rails.
 19. The device of claim 18 further including fluid actuated means for adjusting the spacing between beams and platforms and for simultaneously adjusting the width of said center wheel receiving platform.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein said center wheel receiving platform is longitudinally expandable to accommodate vehicles of varying lengths. 